Railway-signal.



PATBNTBD MAY 14, 1907.

P. H WENDT. RAILWAY SIGNAL. 'APPLIGATIOH IfILED 001'.19,1 906.

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No. 853,489. ,PATENTED MAY 14, 1907.

' P. H. WENDT.

I RAILWAY SIGNAL. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 19, 1906.

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FRIED II. WENDT, OF MARSI-IFIELD, WISCONSIN.

RAlLWAY-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14, 1907.

Application filed October 19,1906. Serial No. 339.613.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRED l-I. WENDT, of M arshfiel d, lViseonsin, haveinvented a Hailway-Signal, of which the following is a speci iication.

This invention relates to time signals for railways, the object in viewbeing the prevention of rear end collisions, by maintaining a certaintime-headway between trains.

My object is primarily to provide a system of signals set at properpoints along the track, and each of which is automatically set to dangeras a train passes it, and held in that position for a certain length oftime, thus preventing any subsequent train from following it until suchperiod of time has elapsed. I aim to provide a construction of thesimplest possible kind which shall operate exclusively by mechanicalmovements, and without the intervention of liquids, gases, electriccurrents, and the like, thus forming a positive mechanism with the leastpossible liability to get out of order.

I also aim to so construct the signal, that should any part becomebroken or actually get out of order, it will move into the dangerposition, thereby stopping the movement of trains until it has been putin properv order again.

One of the features of my construction is an index to the time-which haselapsed since the train has passed the signal, so that any subsequenttrain can see exactly how long the time is and can also know whether thesignal is operating properly.

In my construction there is provided a depressible member adjacent tothe rail of the track on the inside, in position to be depressed by theflanges of the car-wheels passing on the track, and this is connected byproper link-and-lever mechanism with Winding means for a rope sheave, t0which is connected the operating rope, which is operated by a weight.The system is such that the sheave is wound up automatically by thetrain acting on the said depressible member, and after the train haspassed is allowed to run down again, the time being regulated byescapement-mechanism. The semaphore or signal is connected with theoperating rope or weight in such manner that it is dropped only when themechanism has completely run down.

To enable my invention and its detailed construction to be fullyunderstood, I have illustrated an embodiment thereof in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Figure 1 is a sectional side-elevation of the completeapparatus. Fig. 2 is an elevation of a portion of the side wall of thesignal tower to show the time indicator. Fig. 3 is a perspective view ofa part of the mechanism connecting the signal and indicator with theoperating-rope. a larger scale of a part of the escapementmechanism, theframe-plates being shown in section. Fig. 5 and 6 are sections taken online 5 of Fig. 4, showing the mechanism in two different positions. Fig.7 is an elevation from the inside of the track of the trackbox, theright-hand half being shown in section through the depressible member orwheel-block. Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the same in a median plane atright-angles to that of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the same. Fig.10 is a side-elevation of the winding-mechanism and Figs. 11 and 12 aresections of the same on the planes indicated by the lines 11 and 12respectively.

In these drawings every reference letter and numeral refers always tothe same part.

In Fig. 1 there is showna railway-track comprising rails 21 and ties 22,and adjacent thereto a signaltower 23, having near its upper end asemaphore 24, which is pivoted on a pin 25, and carries the usualbullseyes 26 for signal lights. The semaphore itself constitutes no partof my present invention, and I may use any preferred kind or style whichcan be adapted thereto. The tower as shown is mounted on a foundation 27and the frame of the tower is omitted so as not to obscure the essentialparts which it is intended to illustrate.

At a suitable point within the tower below the semaphore is mounted. alever 28, which is pivoted at 29 to the wall or frame of the tower, andits free end is connected by a link 30 with the semaphore in the mannershown, so that a slight movement of the lever 28 will cause thesemaphore to move into the dotted line position or the reverse. Thislever is shown (most clearly in Fig. 3) as pierced at an intermediatepoint with an eye 31 through which passes the operating rope 32, whichpasses from the winding-mechanism below around a sheave 33 at a certaindistance above the lever 28, and thence through said eye 31, below whicha weight 34 is attached thereto. This weight may preferably be in Fig. 4is a side-view on the form of a long hollow cylinder which may be filledwith dirt or sci"apinetal until it has the necessary weight, and isprovided. with a bail 35 on its upper end.

The wimling-mechanism, which is connected with the track-box, is shownin the lower left-hand corner of the tower, and cornpriscs a main arbor36, which, together with a set of secondary arbors 37, 38, 39 and 40, ismounted. to turn between a pair of frameplates 41 in the usual manner ofa clocktrain.

On the arbor 36 is mounted a mechanism shown in liigs. 10 to 12, to wit:a rope-sheave or dru1n42 and a pair of ratchet-wheels 43 and 44 whichare connected solidly together by dowel-pins 45; a main gear-wheel 46;and a ratchet-arm 47, which latter carries a pawl or ratchet 48,engaging the teeth of the wheel 43. The ratchet-arm 47 swings freelyupon the arbor, and is-reciprocated by a link 49, having a head 50joiu'naled on the pivot-pin 51. A leaf-spring 52 is fixed upon two pins53 to press upon the active end of the pawl and hold it normally inengagement with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel; while a fixed pin 54projecting from one of the frame-plates 41 in the path of the heel 55 ofthe pawl acts upon the latter to withdraw the point thereof fromengagement with the wheel when the ratchet-arm is swung backwardly, thatis to say, toward the right in Fig. 1, or toward the left in Fig. 11. Itwill also be observed that a certain number of teeth are cut away fromthe periphery of the wheel 43, which acts to render the pawl inoperativeto turn the wheel after it has turned through a certain distance, which,in the resent instance, is about three-quarters of a revolution. Theactual amount will, of course, depend on the size of the sheave 42 andthe distance through which it is designed to raise the weight 34.

. The other ratchet-wheel 44 is o eratively connected with thegear-wheel 46 y means of a pair of pawls 56 pivoted on pins 57 on theface of the wheel 46 and engaging the teeth of the wheel 44 preferablyin such mannor that they shall fall over the teeth alternately as shown.These pawls are held in engagement with the ratchetteeth by leaf springs58, held in position by pins 59.

Connected with the gear-wheel 46 is the regulating or escapementmechanism, which consists of a regular clock-train, comprising anynumber of gears and pinions, there being three sets as shown in thedrawing. The gear 46 engages the pinion 60 on the shaft 37 and drivesthe gear-wheel 61; the gear 61 meshes with the pinion 62 011 the shaft38, and drives the gear 63 on the same shaft; and the gear 63 mesheswith the pinion 64 on the shaft 39, and drives the escapement-wheel 65,which is engaged by a pallet 66 on the balance-shaft 40.

The construction of the escapement-mechanisin is peculiar, and is shownin Figs. 4 to 6. The escapmncnt-wheel has a series of radial pins 67 setat equal intervals around its periphery and a set of axially directedpins 68 in'ojecting from its lateral face. The pallet comprises acylindrical collar or enlargen'icnt of the shaft wl'iich is hollowed outconcavely on one side as shown at 69; this hollewedout portion beingproperly shaped to admit one of the pins 67 to pass there through onlywhen the shaft is oscillated a su'llicient distance. A pin 70 projectsradially from the collar and is engaged during each upward oscillationby one of the lateral pins 68, which gives the shaft an impetus againstthe weight of the balance. The balance comprises a collar 71, which isadjustably set upon the shaft 40 by a set-screw 72 and carries a radialscrew-threaded pin 73 upon which is mounted a weight 74, the same beingtapped to engage the threads thereof, and preferably milled on itsperiphery to enable it to be adjusted toward or from the axis, therebyregulating the rate of movement. A lock-nut 75 is also threaded upon thepin 73 and fixes the weight 74 when properly adjusted.

I will now describe the mechanism of the track-box by which thewinding-mecl'iai'lism is operated to wind the o ')erating-rope, and willhereinafter describe more explicitly the mode of operation of theescapementmecl1- anism. The track-box and the mechanism immediatelyconnected therewith is shown more particularly in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. Thebox itself is made in two halves 76, which are united along a medianplane forming the plane of section in Fig. 8, and which are providedwith overhanging lugs .7 7 whereby their edges are held in properrelation, and the said halves are connected together by three'or fourbolts 78. On the inner side of the rail 21 the box extends above theflange thereof, around which it grips by means of the lug or extension79, and this extension forms a tubular passage in which. reciprocates adepressible wheel-block 81. This block, as shown is provided on all foursides with a downwardly projecting flange 82, which is in'closejuxtaposition to the edges of the box, whereby the opening of the latteris entirely inclosed and dust and dirt is pre TCO vented from gettinginside, while leaving the wheel block free to move up and down thenecessary distance. Also the upper face of this block is shown asprovided with a harl dened steel wear-plate 83, which interlocks with atongue 84 on the upper surface of the block, and is secured thereto by apin 85. This plate has its upper surface rounded whereby the movement ofwheels rapidly over-the rail will cause it to be only graduallydepressed.

The track box directly below the rail has a transverse pin 36, on whichturns a bellthe wheel-block by means of a pin 88.

crank lever 87, the horizontal arm of which is, as shown, connected withthe lower end of The vertical arm of the lever 87 has an aperturethrough whichpasses the end of the rod 49 which isconnected with theratchet-arm 47, as previously described. On the end which passes intothe track-box the rod 49 has a head 89 formed thereon, and under saidhead a washer 90 which acts as an abutment for a spring or cushion 91between the washer and the end of the lever 87. As herein shown thespring consists of an india-rubber block, but it may be also made ofmetal in any desired form, and any form of spring or cushion iscomprehended within the limits of my invention, or I may omit italtogether. It will be observed that the track-box has at its upperright-hand corner, through which the rod 49 passes, a boss 92 (one-halfon each of the box-halves 76) which forms an abutment for the lever 87to limit its movement, and further for the flange ofthe rail 21 andfurther, in said boss are set a pair of studs 93 which form means forsecuring an angle-plate 94- upon the outer side of the rail and thetraclobox, thereby holding the latter firmly and rigidly up to the rail.The angle-plate 94 may have a vertical flange 95 extending above thetread of the rail on the outer side, which acts as a guard to preventany possible derailment in case the wheel-block should stick and fail toyield to the pressure thereon. Furthermore, I may provide baselugs 96 onthe sides of the box which abut upon the underside of the flange andprevent any lateral wabbling of the track-b ox.

Below the bell-crank lever 87 the box is extended downwardly to form asettlingchamber 97 for dust and dirt which may enter through cracks, andwhich is thus prevented. from clogging up the action of the mechanism.Access is had to the interior of this chamber by a hand-hole 98 coveredby a plate 99, which has ears engaging with bolts 100, as clearly shownby the dotted lines in Fig. 8. In thebottom of the chamber is formed adrain-hole 101., through which any water collecting in the box ispermitted to escape. The track-box, in this embodiment of my invention,is shown as being directly opposite the signal-tower, conse uently thelink-rod 49 is connected directly rom the le ver 87 to the ratchet-arm47, with the interposition of a turn-buckle 102 to adjust its length; but in cases where the signal-tow er is set at a distance from thetrack-box along the track, it will be connected therewith. by the usuallink-mechanism of which the link 49 is a suflicient representation. Thelink or link-mechanism is preferably inclosed in a box 103 which runsfrom the track-box to the tower-base. As the operation is exclusively bypulling, means are provided for restoring the "mechanism to its positionafter the depression of the wheel-block, this means comprises acompression-spring 104 which is mounted on the link 49 and abuts upon awasher 105 against the head 50, and a fixed abutment 106 is provided forthe other end of the spring, and also forms a guide-block for the rod.

When the train passes over the track the wheels thereof willsuccessively depress the wheel-block 81, which in turn. oscillates thelever 87, and through the link-connection 49 the ratchet-arm 47 andafter each de'pres sion the said mechanism is restored to its originalposition by the spring 104. The passing of the train acts, therefore, tooscillate the ratchet arm 47 a number of times equal to the number ofwheels passing over one rail of the track. At the start, the mechanismbeing run down and the semaphore in the dotted line position, the pawl48 acts successively upon the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 43, and at eachforward movement turns said wheel and the winding-sheave 42 through aninterval of one tooth, said wheel being held practically stationary onthe back-movement of the ratchet-arm by the pawls 56, which areconnected with the regulating -mechanism, whose movement is very slow.

This continues until all of the teeth of the ratchet-wheel 43 have beenacted on, and the latter together with the winding-sheave turned throughits full angle up to the last tooth, and any further oscillation of theratchet-arm will not turn the wheel 43 any farther, but will merely keepit up to its wound-up position, until such oscillation ceases.Consequently, no matter how long the train is, the mechanism cannotoverwind, and it cannot begin to run down until the train is actuallypast. After the passage of the train the spring 104 returns theratchetarm to its retracted position, in which the pawl 48 is thrown outof action by the pin 54, so that it no longer lies in the path of theteeth of the ratchet-wheel 43; and. the rope 32, having been wound uponthe sheave 42, now starts to unwind, being actuated by the weight 34,and this continues until the rope is all unwound and the mechanismrestored to its previous condition. The regulation takes place throughthe gear-train already mentioned, the force of the weight beingtransmitted to the escapement-wheel 65, and acting to turn it in thedirection shown by the arrow. In this position one of the lateral pins68 acts upon the. pin to raise the balance 74, and thus permit a pin 67to pass through the hollowed portion 69 of the pallet, and this bringsthe next pin 67 against the cylindrical part of the pallet, as shown inFig. 6. The pallet has'no'w been turned far enough to clear the pin 70,and as nothing now acts to sustain it against the weight of the balance,it drops back into the position shown in Fig. 6, permitting the pin 67to pass raising the balance again.

all:

into the hollowed portion 69, and bringing another pin 68 against thepin 7 0, and thus The rapidity at which the oscillation thus caused willtake place depends, of course, upon the setting and mass of the weight 74.

It is necessary in this mechanism to provide a self-startingregulating-device, which is not the case with an ordinary escapementsuch as is used in clocks, and it will be observed that the mechanismbefore described fulfils this condition, because it will always stop inthe position shown in Fig. 6, in which the balance is all ready to beraised by the pressure of the pin 68 against the pin 70.

On the rope 32'is mounted a knob or other obstruction 107 which isbetween the pulley 33 and the lever 28. When this obstruction in itsdownward movement strikes the eye 31 of the lever 28 it draws the latterdown- Wardly, and with it the semaphore into the dotted line position ofFig. 1, thus restoring the semaphore to the cleared position.

Furthermore, I- may provide indicating means at the sides of the tower,the construction of which means is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. To a point onthe rope 32, as for instance upon the knob 107, are secured. a pair ofcross-arms 1.08, which carry. on their ends a pair of markers 109, theseprojecting close to the innerside-Walls of the tower. Opposite thesemarkers there are formed vertical slots 110, which may be closed by aglass plate 111, and at the sides thereof are graduations as shown,indicating the number of minutes, or any other suitable division oftime, which have elapsed since the passage of the train. The markers areso placed that when the mechanism is fully wound up they will be opposite the Zero of the scale, and when entirely run down at the lowestgraduation of the scale, this being, for example, marked 10, where thelength of time to elapse before the release of the signalis ten minutes.

While I have hereinabove described the preferred form of my invention, Iwish it understood that I do not limit myself? to any one of theparticular features thereof, and I fully realize that it is capable ofnumerous modifications without departing from the principle thereof, andI consider such modi iications and omissions may be made withoutdeparting from the principle of my invention.

1 Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters- Patent is:

1. In a signal device, the combination of a semaphore assuming a raisedposition when not otherwise acted on, a winding sheave or drum, anoperating cord adapted to be wound on said sheave, means operated by thepassage of wheels over a trach for winding said sheave, said means beingarranged to release said sheave after the passage of said wheels,mechanism regulating the rate or unwlndlng of said sheave, and aconnection between. said cord and semaphore wherei by the latter islowered when said cord is unwound.

2. A s1 gnal mechanism comprising, in comi bination, a semaphore, awinding sheave, an

raise the weight, said means being arranged to release said sheave afterthe passage of the train, and mechanism for regulating the time ofunwinding said cord from said sheave.

3. A railway-signal comprising a semaphore naturally assuming the dangerposition, a depressible member in position to be depressed by the wheelspassing over said track, a winding-sheave, means actuated by saiddepressible member for rotating said sheave and releasing it after thetrain" has passed, means acting to rotate said sheave in the oppositedirection when released, means for regulating the rate of saidlast-named motion, and a connection between said sheave and saidsemaphore whereby the latter is moved into clearing position when saidsheave is rotated in the first-named direction and moved into theopposite position when said sheave is turned in the opposite direction.

4. In a railway signal, the combination with a signal device, a windingsheave or drum operating the same, and a self-startingescapement-mecham'sm comprising a wheel having radial pins or teeth, anoscillating balance shaft, a balance weight mounted thereon, a palletcomprising a cylinder cut away concavely on one side in a manner topermit the passage of a pin of said wheel when said pallet is oscillatedthe necessary distance, and means on said Wheel acting on the pallet toswing said balance upwardly against gravity on the advance stroke of thepallet and releasing the pallet on. its return stroke whereby 'saidpallet is free to return and is returned by the weight of the balance.

5. In a railway signal, the combination of a signal device, awinding-drum connected therewith, means actuatedljiy the passage of atrain for winding said drum, means acting to unwind said drum whenreleased,. and means for regulating the rate of unwinding said. drumcomprising an escapement-wheel having radial pins on its periphery andaXially directed pins on one face thereof, a balance-shaft adjacentthereto, a pallet mounted on said balanceshaft and comprising acylindrical member cut away concavely at one side in a manner to permitthe passage of one of said pins across said pallet only when the palletis oscillated in a forward direction, I

a balance-weight adjustably mounted on said balance-shaft in position tobe raised against the action of gravity on the advancemovement of saidpallet, and a radially projecting pin carried by said balance-shaft andengaging with one of said axially-directed pins at the beginning of eachadvance-stroke of the pallet and disengaged therefrom during the returnstroke.

6. In a railway signal, the combination of a tower, a semaphore mountedtherein and normally maintained in danger position, an operating cordhaving a weight suspended therefrom, a connection between said operatingcord and semaphore adapted to move said semaphore suddenly into clearingposition at a certain point in the movement of said. weight, meansactuated by the passage of a train over the track for drawing on saidcord to raise the said weight, said means being released after thepassage of the train, and means-for regulatingthe rate of returnmovement of said weight after being released.

7. In a railway signal, the combination of a semaphore, a reciprocatingmember, means for maintaining said reciprocating member normally at oneend of its travel, means actuated by the passage of a train for movingand then releasing it, means for regulating the rate of movement of saidmember, and means actuated by said member to move said semaphore intoclearing position when it reaches the end of its return movement.

8. In a railway signal, the combination of a semaphore biased to thedanger position, a vertically reciprocating weight, a connection betweensaid semaphore and weight to move the former into clearing position whenthe latter is at the end of its travel, means actuated by the passage ofa train over a track for raising and then releasing said weight, andmeans regulating the rate of return movement of said weight.

9. In a railway signal, the combination of a semaphore biased to thedanger position, a lever pivotally mounted below said sema phore, a linkconnecting said lever and semaphore whereby the downward movement of theformer causes the latter to move into clearing position, a verticallyreciprocating member having a stop or dog adapted to strike said leverat the lower end of its travel and move said semaphore into clearingposition, means acting to draw said member into its lowered position,means actuated by a passing train to raise and then releasesaid member,and means regulating the descent of said member. I

10. In a railway-signal, the combination of a semaphore biased to thedanger position, a lever pivotally mounted below said semaphore, a linkconnecting said lever and semaphore whereby the downward movement of theformer causes the latter to move into clearing position, a verticallyreciprocating member having a stop or dog adapted to strike said leverat the lower end of its travel and move said semaphore into clearingposition, means acting to draw said member into its lowered position,means actuated by a passing train to raise and then release said member,and a self starting escapementmechanism adapted to regulate the descentof said member.

1 1. In a railway-signal, the combination of a sheave, a flexible memberarranged to wind thereon, means acting on said flexible member to rotatesaid sheave so as to unwind said member therefrom, a ratchet-wheelmounted on the axis of said sheave and connected therewith, a pawlarranged to engage the teeth of said wheel, means actuated by thepassage of a train over the track to reciprocate said pawl and therebyrotate said ratchet-wheel and sheave, means acting to withdraw the pawlfrom the teeth of said wheel after the passage of the train, andmechanism connected with said sheave adapted to regulate the rate ofunwinding thereof.

12. In a railway-signal, the combination of a sheave, a flexible memberadapted to be wound thereon, means pulling on said flexible member tounwind the same, a ratchetwheel connected with said sheave, a pawlarranged to engage the teeth of said ratchetwheel, means normallyholding said pawl in engagement with said ratchet-wheel, a memberadapted to disengage said pawl from the ratchet-wheel on the backwardmovementof said pawl, means normally holding said pawl at the end of itsbackward movement, and a piece mounted adjacent to the track and adaptedto be acted on by each wheel passing over the track, said piece beingconnected with said pawl in such manner as to move it forward when soacted on, and means for regulating the unwinding movement of saidsheave.

13. In a railway-signal, the combination of a semaphore, a windingsheave, a flexible member connected with said sheave and having meansconnected therewith for pulling it so as to tend to unwind said member,a con nection between said semaphore and said member whereby saidsemaphore is moved into clearing position when said flexible member isat the end of its unwinding movement, a ratchet-wheel fixed to the axisof said sheave, a ratchet-arm mounted loosely on the axis of saidsheave, a pawl carried by said 7 ratchet-arm and arranged to engagenormally the teeth of said ratchet-wheel, a fixed member adapted tostrike against said pawl on its backward movement and cause it todisengage the teeth of said wheel, a spring acting to move saidratchet-arm into the retracted position of said pawl, a track-dogadjacent to one rail of the railway-track in position to be acted on byeach wheel passing over the track, a link-connection between said dogand said ratchet-arm whereby the latter is advanced each time said dogis acted on by the wheel, and regulating mechanism connected with saidsheave adapted to regulate the time of unwinding said flexible member.

14. In a railway-signal, the combination of a semaphore, awindingsheave, a flexible member connected with said sheave and havingmeans connected therewith for pulling it so asto tend to unwind saidmember, a connection between said semaphore and said member whereby saidsemaphore is moved into clearing position when said flexible member isat the end of its unwinding movement, a ratchet-wheel fixed to the axisof said sheave, a ratchet-arm mounted loosely on the axis of saidsheave, a pawl carried by said ratchet-arm and arranged to engage normally the teeth of said ratchet-wheel, a fixed member adapted to strikeagainst said pawl on its backward movement and cause it to disengage theteeth of said wheel, a spring acting to move said ratchet-arm into theretracted position of said pawl, a track-dog adjacent to one rail of therailway-track in position to be acted on by each wheel passing over thetrack, a link-connection between said dog and said ratchet-arm wherebythe latter is advanced each time said dog is acted on by a wheel, a geartrain having a ratchetconnection with said sheave whereby the sheave maybe freely wound but engages said train on its unwinding movement, and aself-starting escapement connected with and limiting the rate ofmovement of said geartrain.

15. In a railway-signal, the combination of a semaphore, awinding-sheave, a flexible member connected with said sheave and havingmeans connected therewith for pulling it so as to tend to unwind saidmember, a connection between said semaphore and said member whereby saidsemaphore is moved into clearing position when said flexible member isat the end of its unwinding movement, a ratchet-wheel fixed to the axisof said sheave, a ratchet-arm mounted loosely on the axis of saidsheave, a pawl carried by said ratchet-arm and arranged to engagenormally the teeth of said ratchet-wheel, a fixed member adapted tostrike against said pawl on its backward movement and cause it todisengage the teeth of said wheel, a spring acting to move saidratchet-arm into the retracted position of said pawl, a track-dogadjacent to one rail of the railway-track in position to be acted on byeach wheel passing over the track, a link-connection between said dogand said ratchet-arm whereby the latter is advanced each time said.dogis acted on by a wheel, a gear train having a ratchetconnection withsaid sheave whereby the sheave may be freely wound but engages saidtrain on its unwinding movement, and a selfstarting escapement connectedwith. and lim iting therate of movement of said gear-train saidescapement-mechanism comprising a wheel having a plurality of radiallyset pins or teeth on its periphery and a plurality of axial projectionson theface thereof, an oscillating balance-shaft, a pallet mounted onsaid balance-shaft and comprising a cylindrical collar having one sidecut away concavely so as to permit the passage of one of said pins oneach forward oscillation of the pallet, a pin projecting radially fromsaid balance-shaft in position to be engaged by one of said rejectionson each forward oscillation of t 1e pallet, and a swinging balanceweightmounted on said balance-shaft in. position to be raised at each'forwardoscillation of the pallet.

16. In a railway-signal, in combination with. a signal tower having oneor more slots in the wall thereof, a semaphore mounted thereon andnaturally maintaining itself in danger position, a verticallyreciprocating member carrying a marker or markers opposite said slot orslots, means acting to draw said reciprocating member into its lowestposition, a connection between said member and said semaphore tosuddenly move said semaphore into clearing position when said memberreaches the lower end of its travel, a track-dog, mechanism operated bysaid. trackdog to raise and then release said reciprocating member, andmeans for regulating the rate of descent of said member.

' 17. A railway-signal comprising, in combination, a tower, a semaphoremounted at the upper end thereof and balanced so as naturally tomaintain itself in danger position, a lever pivoted on said tower belowsaid semaphore, a link connecting said lever with. said semaphorewhereby the depression of said lever moves the semaphore into clearingposition, a winding-sheave, a flexible connection arranged to be woundon said sheave and having a weight suspended therefrom, said "flexibleconnection passing in juxtaposition to said lever, a projecting membercarried by said flexible connection and adapted to strike and depresssaid lever when said weight reaches its lowermost position, a regulatinggear-train having a ratchetconnection with said sheave to regulate theunwinding movement thereof, a ratchet-wheel mounted on the axis of saidsheave, areciprocating pawl engaging said ratchet-wheel, a spring actingon said pawlto move it into its backward position, a fixed member actingon said pawl to disengage it from said ratchet-wheel when in saidbackward position, a reciprocating mem ber adjacent to the rail of thetrack in position to be acted on by the wheels of a car or train, and alink-connection between said re- IIO ciprocating member and said pawlwhereby the latter is drawn forward when said member is moved by acar-wheel.

18. The combination of an inclosed trackbox having its upper endarranged to receive the flange of a rail and to be closed thereby, saidbox having an upwardly projecting tubular extension which engages overthe edge of the rail-flange, a wheel-block reciprocating vertically insaid extension, means for securing the opposite side of the box to theopposite edge of the flange, and mechanism within said box transmittingthe vertical movement of said wheel-block in a horizontal direction.

19. The combination of an inclosed trackbox having its upper edgearranged to receive the flange of a rail and to be closed thereby, saidbox having an upwardly projecting tubular extension which engages overthe edge of the rail-flange, a wheel-block reciprocating vertically insaid extension, means for securing the opposite side of the box to theopposite edge of the flange, and a bellcrank lever mounted in said boxand having a horizontal arm pivoted to the lower end of said wheel-blockand a vertical arm, and a link-rod connected with said vertical arm.

20. The combination of an inclosed trackbox having its upper edgearranged to receive the flange of a rail and to be closed thereby, saidbox having an upwardly projecting tubular extension which engages overthe edge of the rail-flange, a wheel-block reciprocating vertically insaid extension, means for securing the opposite side of the box to theopposite edge of the flange, and a bell-crank lever mounted in said boxand having a horizontal arm pivoted to the lower end of said wheelblockand a vertical arm, a link-rod connected to said vertical arm, and acushion or spring inserted between said vertical arm and link-rodwhereby to cushion the movement of said link-rod.

21. The combination of a railway-rail, a vertically reciprocatingwheel-block mounted adjacent to the inner edge of the tread thereof,means for transmitting the vertical movement of said block in ahorizontal direction, and a flange set against the opposite side of therail-tread and projecting above the latter so as to act as aderailment-guard.

22. The combination of a track-box adapted to grip over the flange ofthe rail and the latter being arranged to close the top thereof, saidbox having further an upwardly projecting tubular extension on'one sidewhich grips over the edge of the flange, and a wheel block reciprocatingvertically in said tubular extension and having its upper edge adjacentto the inner side of the rail-tread.

23. The combination of a track-box adapted to grip over the flange ofthe rail and the latter being arranged to close the top thereof, saidbox having further an upwardly projecting tubular extension on one sidewhich grips over the edge of the flange, a wheelblock reciprocatingvertically in said tubular extension and having its upper edge adjacentto the inner side of the rail-tre ad, a bell-crank lever pivoted in saidbox below the rail and having a horizontal arm pivoted to the lower endof said wheel-block and a vertical arm, a horizontal link-rodreciprocating through the wall of said box and connected with saidvertical arm, and 'a clamping-plate secured to the outer edge of saidbox and gripping the outer edge of the rail-flange.

24. The combination of a track-box adapted to grip over the flange ofthe rail and the latter being arranged to close the top thereof, saidbox having further an upwardly pro jecting tubular extension on one sidewhich grips over the edge of the flange, a wheelblock reciprocatingvertically in said tubular extension and having its upper edge adjacentto the inner side of the rail-tread, a bell-crank lever pivoted in saidbox below the rail and having a horizontal arm pivoted to the lower endof said wheel-block and a vertical arm, a horizontal link-rodreciprocating through the wall of said box and connected with saidvertical arm, a clamping-plate secured to the outer edge of said box andgripping the outer edge of the rail-flange, a bellcrank lever pivoted insaid box below the rail and having a horizontal arm pivoted to the lowerend of said wheel-block and a vertical arm, a horizontal link-rodreciprocating through the wall of said box and connected with said vertical arm, and a clamping-plate secured to the outer edge of said boxand gripping the outer edge of the rail-flange, said clampingplatehaving a vertical flange projecting upwardly against the outer side ofthe railtread and above the latter whereby to act as a wheel-guard.

25. The combination of a completely inclosed track-box having means forclamping it firmly below the flange of a T-rail whereby said flange actsas a closure for its upper side, a member projecting outside said boxadj a cent to said rail in position to be acted on by a car-wheelpassing over the rail, andmechanism inside said box for transmitting themotion of said member..

26. The combination of a track-box divided in a median plane into twohalves, means for securing said halves together, means for securing saidbox firmly to the flange of a rail and below the latter, said box havinga tubular extension gripping over the flange on one side, a depressiblewheelblock vertically reciprocating in said tubular extension, abell-crank lever pivoted in said box below the rail and having ahorizontal arm vided in a median. plane into two halves, means forsecuring said halves together, means for securing said boX firmly to theflange of a rail and below the latter, said box having a tubularextension gripping over the flange on one side, a depressiblewheel-block vertically reciprocating in said tubular extension, abell-crank lever pivoted in said box below the rail and having-ahorizontal arm pivoted to said wheel-block, a dust chamber below saidlever, said box having a handhole on one side of said chamber, and acoverplate covering said hand-hole.

28. The combination of a track-box divided in a median plane into twohalves, means for securing said halves together,

a drain-hole at the lower end thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto slgned my name 111 presence of twowitnesses.

FRED H. VVENDT.

Witnesses:

CHARLES I-"IALM, ELI OROILEAU.

, pivoted to said wheel-block, said box havingv

